Year 1: Lifeways 101

Lesson 1-I intend to use this blog as part of my Lifeways journal. I will be posting thoughts, questions and answers according to the assignments put forth in Lifeways 101.

(I also want to note that I am very excited today because I now only have 3 more credits to go before I hit Year Two!!!)

Year 1: Wand Making

Excerpt from essay on my wand:

My wand contains the following:

-Quartz Crystal for wisdom, healing and harmony
-Emerald for love, intelligence and clairvoyance (Also represents the element of Earth)
-Sunstone for luck and sexuality (Also represents Oregon where the wand was made)
-Witch Hazel for protection
-Corn for family
-Mistletoe for love and health
-Moss for luck and prosperity
-Dandelion fluff for wishes and divination
-Rose petals for love and healing (Also represents the element of Spirit and the Goddess)
-Holly for commitment (Also represents the element of Spirit and the God)
-Strike wood for energy (Also represents the element Fire)
-Seashell for tranquility (Also represents the element Water)
-Feather for knowledge (Also represents the element Air)
-A hair from my love’s head
-Green thread from my Conclave bandana

And anointed with:
-Clary sage
-Patchouli
-Neroli
(All for their Earth qualities)

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Year 1: Discovering Earth Science

Excerpts from final essay on world record natural formations:

Name: Angel Falls (Salto Ángel)
Location: Venezuela
Coordinates: 5°N, 62°W
Measurements: 979 m
Claim to Fame: World’s Tallest Waterfall

For such a long fall it has an equally long list of names. The common name, Angel Falls, comes from an American pilot who landed at the top in 1936. James Crawford Angel brought word back the United States of this wonderful sight and helped open the falls up to tourism. The local people called the falls “Devil’s Mouth” or Kerepakupay Vená. It is also referred to as Kerepakupai which means "waterfall of the deepest place". Some mistakenly call it by another local falls name Churún-merú which means “thunder”.

Name: Mariana Trench
Location: Pacific Ocean (Near Iwo Jima)
Coordinates: 142-148°E , 23°N
Measurements:2,550m (1,592mi) long 69km (43mi) at widest 11,033m deep
Claim to Fame: Lowest Point on the Earth’s surface

One out of dozens of Earth’s deep sea trenches, Mariana Trench out does them all. It would be able to swallow Mt. Everest whole with room for more. It serves as a highway for submarines and hosts a variety of prehistoric life forms. Found off the coast of Japan this monster of a trench lies at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

Year 1: Discovering Earth Science

Excerpt continued...

Name: Antarctica
Location: The bottom of the world
Coordinates: 90°S, 0°E
Measurements:13,209,000 sq km, 5,100,021 sq miles
Claim to Fame: World’s Coldest, Driest, Windiest Continent

Made up of 2% land and 98% ice this is the coldest place on earth . In fact, it holds 90% of the entire world’s naturally forming ice. Although this ice melts and reforms throughout the seasons it still makes for a very chilly climate. The coldest temperature ever recorded occurred near the South Pole July 21, 1983. The record breaking -89.2° C
looks to be unbeatable.

Name: Mt. Everest
Location: Himalayan Mountain Range
Coordinates: 59°N 56°E
Measurements:8,848m
Claim to Fame: World's Tallest Terrestrial Mountain

Though one of the most deadly mountains to climb claiming up to 129 people a year it remains a popular climb. Costing an average of $65,000 to stage a ascent 2,238 people had made the attempt and won. Aside from these visitors one of the only creatures to live on the mountain is a rare species of black jumping spider. The Mt. Everest area is also said to be the home of the world famous elusive Yeti.

Name: Mauna Kea
Location: Hawaii
Coordinates: 49°N 28°W
Measurements: 10,203m
Claim to Fame: World’s Tallest Mountain

This mountain out performs Everest by 1355 meters. However, 6,000 meters of the base resides under water. Despite this fact, the summit is the highest point in Hawaii.
During the Pleistocene era the entire summit had a large ice cap. As time passed and the volcano erupted the ice melted leaving a cinder cone. Eventually the volcano became dormant and the mountain settled. Most would not envision snow in Hawaii now but the top of the mountain is still often covered with a heavy dusting during the winter months. In fact, the name Mauna Kea means “white mountain”.

Name: Ojos del Salado
Location: Chile
Coordinates: 27°S 68°W
Measurements: 6,893m
Claim to Fame: World’s Tallest Active Volcano

There are questions as to whether or not this volcano should be classified as active. The most recent actual eruption was a little over 1,300 years ago. There has been lava flows found that seem to be more recent but can not be dated. In 1993 the volcano began puffing like a dragon which is the most recent activity spotted from this giant.

Name: Krubera (Voronja)
Location: Abkhazia
Coordinates: 43°N, 40°E
Measurements: -2,158m deep
Claim to Fame: World’s Deepest Cave

Although still not near the bottom after seventeen days inside the cave the team continued to ponder how far they could go. October 19, 2004 the team reached what appeared to be the end of the cave. At -2,080 meters they set foot inside the chamber later named “Game Over”. During their decent many side caves and branches were discovered. Most of these have since been explored and found to be of varied lengths, though none nearly as long as the main chamber. After further investigation it is now believed the actual depth of the Voronya Cave is an astounding -2,158 meters deep.

Name: Yarlung Tsangpo
Location: Himalayas Tibet
Coordinates: 31°N, 81°E
Measurements: 5,382 m deep/ 496.3 km long
Claim to Fame: World’s Deepest Canyon

Not only does Yarlung Tsango hold the title of deepest but it is also longest canyon on land. In fact, it is a more than 2700 m deeper and 56 km longer than the world famous Grand Canyon. In addition to it’s other records it is also the home to the highest river on Earth. This canyon yawns deeply into the sky at the top of the world.

Year 1: Discovering Earth Science

Excerpt continued...

Name: Rainbow Bridge
Location: Lake Powell, Utah, USA
Coordinates: 37°N, 110°W
Measurements: 88.39m tall/ 83.82m wide/ 13m thick
Claim to Fame: World’s Largest Natural Bridge

Is it really the largest bridge in the world?
Technically, yes. This is the worlds largest natural bridge. There are many natural arches that far surpass Rainbow Bridge in height and width. However, this formation fit’s the definition of a natural bridge and so wins the title of largest.

Name: Lake Baikal
Location: Siberia, Russia
Coordinates: 53°N, 108°E
Measurements: 80km wide/ 636km long/ 23,600cub. km
Claim to Fame: World’s Deepest, Largest & Oldest Lake

Lake Baikal’s biggest claim to fame is that it is the world’s deepest lake. It’s so deep that if all of the major rivers in the world were flowing into an empty Baikal basin it would take one year to fill. At it’s deepest point the lake is 1,637 meters which is 1,285 meters below sea level. At this depth you could stack 17 Statue of Liberty’s and her torch would still be under water.

Name: Sahara Desert
Location: Northern Africa
Coordinates: 24°N, 130°W
Measurements: 9,000,000 km²
Claim to Fame: World’s Largest Hot Desert

The Sahara Desert is currently approximately 9,000,000 km². This makes it larger than the continuous 48 states of the U.S. The astonishing fact is that it is still growing. In fact, it grows an average of 0.8km per month. In 2002, 124 villages were swallowed by the encroaching sands. It is pushing the populations of northern Africa towards the Mediterranean Sea and making it impossible to grow much needed grain crops in these regions. The ever expanding country of Nigeria has been losing 1,355 square miles of habitable land every year to the growing desert. At this rate the Sahara Desert could push African populations to the brink causing nation wide catastrophes and potentially alter the world’s climate.

Other World Record Breakers

Name: Lambert Glacier
Location: Lambert Graben, East Antarctica
Coordinates: 71°S 70°E
Measurements: 400km long/ 40km wide
Claim to Fame: World’s Largest Glacier
Discovered in 1952 this glacier is longer and wider than the Grand Canyon.

Name: Amazon Rainforest
Location: Northern South America
Coordinates: 1° S 57° W
Measurements: 5.5 million km²
Claim to Fame: World’s Largest Rainforest
Covering almost 40% of South America this rainforest is also home to the most voluminous river on Earth, the Amazon River.

Name: Siberian Taiga
Location: Northern Asia and Europe
Coordinates: 50° N 90° E
Measurements:5,700 km long/ 1,000 km wide
Claim to Fame: World’s Largest Forest
This forest is 2.7 billion acres big accounting for 25% of the world’s forest.

Name: Greenland
Location: Artic Circle
Coordinates: 71° N 42° W
Measurements: 1,290 km wide/2,655 km long
Claim to Fame: World’s Largest Island
The coastline of Greenland is the same length as the circumference of the Earth at the equator.

Name: Nile
Location: Egypt and Sudan
Coordinates: 30° N 31° E
Measurements: 6,671 km long
Claim to Fame: World’s Longest River
More than 3.1 million litres flow from the Nile River every second.

Name: Cox’s Bazar
Location: Bangladesh
Coordinates: 22° N 91° E
Measurements: 120km long
Claim to Fame: World’s Longest Beach
This little known beach is called Panowa or yellow flower.

Name: Great Australian Bight
Location: Australia
Coordinates: 35° S 117° E
Measurements: 1,150 km long
Claim to Fame: World’s Longest Cliff
The height and length of these cliffs cause oddities in the weather patterns making the sea waters below the least fertile sea area in the world.

Name: Great Barrier Reef
Location: Australia
Coordinates: 18° S 147° E
Measurements: 2,600 km long
Claim to Fame: World’s Longest Reef
The group of coral organisms cover such a large area that they can be seen from space.

Name: Tushuk Tash
Location: K'ashih, Sinkiang, China
Coordinates: 39°53'6.59″N, 75°12'59.21″E
Measurements: 366m tall/ 46m wide
Claim to Fame: World’s Largest Arch
This arch was lost by modern man for over 53 years only to be rediscovered by a National Geographic reporter.




References

“Amazon: The World's Largest Rainforest, The.” http://rainforests.mongabay.com/amazon/. 2007.

“Antarctica.” http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/an.htm. 2007.

“Antarctica - Pictures, Information and Travel.” http://www.coolantarctica.com/. 2001.

“Cox's Bazar District.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cox. 2007.

“Current Research: Submersibles - Trieste.“ http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/vessels/submersibles11.htm. 1960.

“Deepest Cave.” http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0505/feature4/multimedia.html. 2007.

“Everest 50.” http://www.nationalgeographic.com/everest/. 2007.

“EVEREST FACTS.” http://www.mnteverest.net/history.html.

“Explore the Mariana Trench.” http://www.marianatrench.com/default.htm. 2003.

“General Sherman Tree, The.” http://www.nps.gov/archive/seki/shrm_pic.htm. 1997.

“Geology of the Himalaya.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_the_Himalaya. 2007.

“Grand Canyon.” http://www.nps.gov/grca/. 2007.

“Great Australian Bight.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Australian_Bight. 2007.

“Greenland.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland. 2007.

Grundsten, Claes & Hanneberg, Peter. Our Magnificent Wilderness. Guilford: The Lyons Press, 2000.

“Habitable earth is shrinking.” http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=2892. 2006.

“Sahara.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahara. 2007.

“Krubera (Voronja) Cave: the first 2000m+ cave on Earth.” http://www.speleogenesis.info/spotlights/spotlight_areas.php?expl_area_id=4. 2006.

“Lake Baikal.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Baikal. 2007.

“Lake Baikal Home Page.” http://www.irkutsk.org/baikal/. 2003.

“The Lambert glacier.” http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=2504. 2002.

“Mariana Trench.“ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariana_Trench. 2007.

Matthews, Rupert O. The Atlas of Natural Wonders. New York: Facts On File Publications, 1988.

“Mauna Kea.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Kea. 2007.

“Mauna Kea Hawaii's Tallest Volcano.” http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanoes/maunakea/. 2002.

“Mount Everest.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Everest. 2007.

“The New Largest Canyon in the World.”http://www.100gogo.com/canyon.htm. 2000.

“News from Krubera-Voronya cave.” http://speleoclpa.free.fr/infos-speleos-mondiales/article.php3?id_article=36. 2006.

“Nile, The.” http://lexicorient.com/e.o/nile.htm. 2006.

“Ojos del Salado.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ojos_del_Salado. 2007.

“Ojos del Salado.”
http://cascada-expediciones.com/activities/mountaineering/programas/ojossalado.htm.

“Rainbow Bridge National Monument.” http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_nm/az_rainb.htm. 2007.

“Rainbow Bridge - the world's largest natural bridge National Monument.” http://www.sights-and-culture.com/America/Utah.html. 2005.

“Sahara Desert Was Once Lush and Populated.” http://www.livescience.com/history/060720_sahara_rains.html. 2007.

“The Search for the Basement of the World.” http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,354557,00.html. 2005.

“Taipei 101.” http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=18. 2007.

“Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon.“ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarlung_Tsangpo_Canyon. 2007.

Year 1: Discovering Earth Science

Excerpt from essay on solar wind:

"During the 11 year cycle of solar activity spikes and declines the auroras advance and recede into the hemispheres. Most of the time the auroras are easily seen in Alaska and Canada as well as all of Antarctica. During the spikes in the solar wind the auroras can be seen as far as the latitude of 40 degrees. In extreme cases they have been spotted as far as the tropics.

Although the solar winds are always blowing the auroras can only be seen at night. Most nights they last for approximately an hour. In times of peak wind activity they last all night. These lights vary in color from red to green and arch across the sky in a sort of midnight rainbow.

Every second of the day and night our Sun sends out a breeze of plasma. Without these solar winds our world would surely expire from massive radiation overload. And without these winds our pole skies would be a black canvas at night. We need these winds and this beauty to survive."

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Year 1: Discovering Earth Science

Excerpt from essay on a rock sample:

"Although called 'fools gold' pyrite is often found with real gold intermingled within it and was often sought after by miners looking for 'The Mother Lode.' And, pyrite has had other uses as well. Pyrite has also been a good source of sulfuric acid prior to modern day practices. Ancient societies used pyrite not only to start fires but also in jewelry and mirrors. Also, if easier sources of iron failed pyrite could be used as a alternative source."

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Year 1: Discovering Earth Science

Excerpt from essay on identifying with a landform:

"I personally identify with the image of the iceberg. Although people see a part of me in everyday life a vast majority of who I really am lies buried beneath the depths. Sometimes life buoys me a bit and more of myself is visible. Sometimes I begin to sink and become colder and more distant. I long to travel but seem to begin melting the moment I leave home. I move in circles and go with the flow. I grow and I lose parts of myself only to recover them once more. I am a bit of a mystery. I am unique. I am an iceberg."

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Year 1: Discovering Earth Science

Essay on the history of Earth Science:

"James Hutton was ahead of his time. After years of study and field work he published a paper in 1785 that would change the world of geology forever. He is, to this day, considered to be the 'father of modern geology'.

Until Hutton came along the majority of the geological world held to German geologist, Abraham Gottlob Werner, theory of 'neptunism'. This theory put forth the thought that the Earth's entire geology was formed by a primordial 'universal ocean' that left behind deposits of rock. This theory also stated that the Earth had a core of rock. He believed that volcanoes were a more recent occurrence of coal beads burning near the surface. In the late 18th century Hutton’s radical new theory or 'plutonism' flattened these ideas.

'Plutonism' was the theory that the world was in constant motion beneath the surface. Hutton believed that the core was full of molten rock which found it’ s way to the surface via cracks which ultimately lead to the formation of volcanoes. He believed that the Earth’s molten core and the heat within was the key to the changes on the surface. This theory also helped explain the movement of the continents and the cycles of geological formation’s birth and destruction.

Hutton’s studies also lead to another idea called 'uniformitarianism'. This was the idea of viewing the present geology as a key to understanding the past. By studying modern forces we could look back in time and see how the Earth was originally formed and where these changes were heading in the future.

His ideas changed the world we live in. He made it into a world that was forever changing. A world in chaos. A world full of mountains that die and are reborn, valleys that fill and then become valleys once again and where the very land we live on is actually islands floating on a sea of molten core. His ideas helped to further educate the world on the fact that this planet was alive and always breathing and growing.

Without James Hutton we very well may have gone on believing that our world was a dead thing. That it was just some pebble washed up on the shores at the edge of a universal ocean like so much flotsam. We may never have understood just how powerful our Mother Earth really is."

References

Erickson, Jon. Plate Tectonics. New York: Facts On File, 1992.

Dixon, Dougal. The Practical Geologist. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Werner

http://www.gennet.org/facts/hutton.html

http://www.strangescience.net/hutton.htm

Friday, September 01, 2006

Year 1: Discovering Earth Science

Essay on fossils:

"Trilobites were an early group of arthropods found throughout the prehistoric world. Living in large groups these “pill bug” like water dwellers were found in shallow water and reefs. The trilobite is named such because it’s body is divided into three lobes and three sections. Despite the hard shell over all three sections they were very flexible. These Trilobita were able to walk, swim and could even roll up in defense.

First appearing in the fossil record during the Cambrian era (542 mya) they spread quickly. By the time they went extinct during “The Great Extinction” of the late Permian they had become a family of 150, divided into 9 orders with more than 5,000 genera. The trilobite managed to live for more than 300 million years and inhabited what would become all eight continents and the oceans in between.

Although these creatures died out more than 200 million years ago they remain to this day one of the most important prehistoric animals. One of their most significant features is their compound eye. They were the first creature on Earth to evolve such a feature. They also featured a mineralized exoskeleton and gills. And they are by far the most diverse group of extinct organisms with more than 15,000 different species with more being discovered every passing year. Because of this diversity and their longevity throughout prehistoric time they play a very important roll in determining the history of different geological areas.

Trilobites are one of the most popular fossils for both the professional and amateur collectors of modern times. Their shells and impressions of their bodies can be found around the world. The most reliable sources of these fossils lie in parts of Russia, Spain and Lower Asia. Popular locations within the United States include Utah and Okalahoma. The largest fossil, thus far, was found by Canadian paleontologists in Manitoba. This find placed the largest known trilobite fossil size to over 70cm (2.3 ft) long."


References

Busey, Coenraads, Willis & Roots, The Nature Company Guides: Rocks & Fossils, The Nature Company, 1996, San Francisco.

http://www.trilobites.info/#faq

http://www.manitobamuseum.mb.ca/mu_trilobite.html

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Year 1: Natural Mysteries

Excerpt from essay on natural balance:

"Do we have an inner scale that tips it’s self up and down until it finds it’s perfect center? I often think that perhaps the day that, that balance is reached is the day we pass on to the other side."

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Year 1: Natural Mysteries

Essay on time:

"Years, Eras and Epochs are spirals forever moving forward but always curving back towards where they are coming from. These spirals come in many sizes. They spiral together and apart. Time is always in motion.

Planetary, geological, ecological and anthropological times all tell the story of our world. Since time is measured in so many different ways it is hard to really know about all of the divisions in depth. However, it felt good to realize that I was aware of the most commonly mentioned cycles of time.

The geological eras are always used as points of reference in any scientific study. It’s interesting to know that these happen in correlation with the passing through a plane of dust that lay in the center of our galaxy. Knowing that this dust is in the layers of the stone that makes up the surface of the earth is astounding.

Historical eras are important for social studies and historians. Although so much has happened in the history of humans it is easy to see the divisions that lead to the next step of history. It’s amazing that it can be broken down to such simple but accurate grouping.

The religious epochs are often spoken of in churches and in some social study classes. It seems though that many of the religions would actually overlap in their influence over society. It would be interesting to see how other, less mainstream, religions fall into these segments.

Renaissances offer insight into the cycle of thought and are important points of reference for those looking into the future. The fact that humans learn in cycles is easy to understand when looking at these steps in creative growth. It seems that just as we run ideas into the ground and new set of ideas seem to crop up from nowhere.

There are a few units of time that I had never heard of. The Zodiacal Aeons are a bit confusing. These seem to be a very complicated way to classify sections of times. Mayan Baktuns are interesting in their intricacies. I liked how they predicted the end of the world in a few years.

The most astonishing factor in all of these is the reoccurrence of the importance of the year 2012. This seems to really drive home the idea that 2012 really will be a “Jackpot Year”. It remains to be seen if the year lives up to it’s potential of being a powerful convergence of so many magickal elements. It’s exciting to know that this will happen during my lifetime!"

Friday, June 22, 2007

Year 1: Natural Mysteries

Excerpt from essay on famous quotes:

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the Mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and science."
--Albert Einstein

"What a beautiful thought from a brilliant mind. If anyone knew about art and science it was him. If anyone ever stood a chance of solving the great mysteries he could have.

Albert Einstein made this very simple statement to prove a very profound point. Without the mysteries of life there would be no inspiration for art and no reason for science to exist. It is the mysteries that drive us to create and destroy.

I can not imagine a world without mysteries. In fact, I believe the reason that human kind has created so many myths and religions was out of the fear that we would be without mystery some day. As science advances we lose a little bit of mystery everyday. Therefore, we create new mysteries to be solve. For every answer given there are two that take it’s place."

Monday, April 16, 2007

Year 1: The Dandelion & The Ant

Essay on identifying with a totem animal:

"Everyday as I walk to work they swoop and swirl over head. I wade through a sea of them as they pad about on the sidewalk. Sometimes I bring crackers to toss to them. I like watching as they become braver and braver inching towards me with one weary eye turned in my direction.

One of the simplest things in the world that makes my heart the happiest is finding a feather. A terrible day can be turned around by one of these treasures left behind by a careless bird. And they leave them behind a lot.

Seagulls are abundant in my part of the world. They congregate everywhere. Their calls pierce the air from dawn to dusk. And although they are not loved by many I find them to be funny, charming and beautiful.

I admire their adaptability. They live anywhere they are at the moment and share even the smallest spaces. They are at home as much on the sea as on land.

I admire their resourcefulness. They catch food with a simple whoosh into the lapping waves. I’ve also seen them beg food from tourist and scavenge from leftovers.

I admire their tenacity. I once sat and watched a seagull attempting to gather fabric for her nest for more than half an hour. In the end she only managed to pull away a tiny scrap but seemed satisfied with herself nonetheless.

I admire their simplicity. Gulls are not overly intelligent but make up for it with their carefree lifestyle. They seem to live life moment to moment without the pressure of goals.

I’ve never lived anywhere that had gulls before but I still feel very connected to them. Just being near them has a profound effect on my mood. I love their calls as they ride the puffs of wind. I could sit and admire their aerial ballet for hours. I long to be up there with them, floating. I appreciate their cunning as they vie for bread or space on a narrow pillar. I smile at their simply being there in the moment. I wish I could live without a care in the world more than the next meal and a place to sleep for the night.

Just the thought of assembling an alter in honor of the seagull makes me feel sort of giddy. It gives me a reason to observe them, to try to understand them better. I connect on every level.

I collect the feathers that they drop and wish that they were my own. I try to feel the wind under my body. I hear the cries of my flock. I understand the waves as I ride the tides. I live hear and now and have no past nor future. I stretch my wings and know that life is good. My spirit is free. I am a gull."

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Year 1: The Dandelion & The Ant

Excerpt from essay on animal totems:

"The crow has an incredible pull as a totem. Their cunning and intelligence allows the potential for a person looking to find wisdom within themselves. The devotion to family makes them a wonderful symbol for those in need of familial support. Their mythic connections to healing could be used for those in poor health. The connection to prophesy and psychic abilities might act as a focus. As a symbol of the spirit world they can act as a mediator between those living seeking those who have passed. The crow may be one of, if not the, most powerful totem animals in the natural world."

Good sources on crow mythology:

"Crow: Mysterious Pagan Symbol". http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/article.cfm/crow_mysterious_pagan_symbol. 2007.

"Raven in Mythology". http://www.ravenfamily.org/nascakiyetl/obs/rav1.html. 1998.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Year 1: The Dandelion & The Ant

Excerpt from essay on plant totems:

"I see the dandelion as a great potential totem. Their shear determination for success above all others is inspirational. I love the fact that they go out there and get what they want and hold on to what they have not matter what the weather. That they put all of their effort into strengthening their roots will still maintaining a pleasant exterior is amazing. I also like that even in death they give not only beauty but hope for future generations of their kind. The fact, that they can both repel and attract so many is interesting and something that I can identify with. That they are so versatile and useful is also a very admirable quality. I could easily see myself using the dandelion as a totem."


Cream of Dandelion Soup
8 ounces fresh Dandelion greens (12 cups loosely packed)
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 small onion finely chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional if broth is salty)
2 cups milk
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 cup half and half or light cream
Garnishes Dairy sour cream, chopped hard-cooked egg or crumbled crisp cook bacon.
Cook the dandelion greens, covered in 2 quarts salted water for 10 minutes. Drain well.
Melt butter or margarine in a large saucepan. Add onion, cook until tender. Add chicken broth. Stir in dandelion greens and let simmer, covered for 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
Blend or process one-fourth of the chicken broth/dandelion green mixture at a time in blender or food processor. Return to saucepan.
Combine milk and flour. Add milk mixture and cream to the soup puree in the saucepan. Cook and stir on medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook one minute more. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with sour cream chopped egg or bacon, and a few drops of lemon juice. Makes 6 servings

Great sources on information about the Dandelion:

"Dandelion." http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/d/dandel08.html.
2007.

"Dandelion Folklore." http://fohn.net/dandelion-pictures/folklore.html.
2005.

"Dandelions: Friend or Foe?." http://www.mygardensupplies.com/garden_tips_folder/dandelions.htm.
2003.


Saturday, May 19, 2007

Year 1: Core Energy

Excerpt on methods of self-cleansing:

"The 'Sack of Sand' method is a much longer process which requires that I be able to lie down. I learned this method in one of my advanced acting classes in college and it really stuck with me. First, I lie down on the floor face up. I spread my arms and legs slightly like I am going to make a snow angel. I close my eyes and begin to feel the weight of my body and mind. I imagine all the weight turning into dry sand. After all of the weight becomes sand I explore my outer edges for loose seams. I rip a tiny hole in the seams at my feet and the sand begins to seep from my toes. As these empty I pull the thread a bit more so that the sand can empty out further up my legs. The seam opens more to allow the sand in my lower back to drain out. Then my shoulders trickle away. My arms slowly deflate. My neck softens. The sand in my head is the last to leave. It falls from the openings in the seams of my temples and the crown of my head. After this is done I give my body a tiny shake to rid it of any gains that had yet to escape. Once I am completely empty I slowly begin to sew myself up. I imagine a small needle with silver thread moving around the edges of my body. The needle flashes in and out as the silver thread closes the openings now empty of all of their sand. When the seams are fully closed I feel flat and empty like a sack waiting to be filled. I open my mouth and drink in golden light and fresh air. Once I am full and able to stand I blow away the sand. It scatters away with the wind and I feel much lighter. I am now ready to face the world and more sand."

Friday, November 03, 2006

Year 1: Core Energy

Essay on grounding:


"I am a Giant Sequoia.

I am home to winged creature, bug and squirrel.
I am home to moss, vine and toadstool.

My branches touch the sky.
My roots are deep within the earth.
My trunk is the body and soul between.

I am old. I have seen much and many days have passed.
I am tall. I seem to reach higher and higher in an endless stretch.
I am tough. I live through fires, earthquakes and many a storm.
I am grounded. I can not be swayed easily and will not be pushed around.

My branches are many.
My needles are always green.
My shade is deep, dark and cool.
My heart grows as time passes.
My bark is both beautiful and protective.

I am a Giant Sequoia.

I imagine myself first as a tiny seed waiting to be born. A cone is my cradle and fire is my birth. As I am born into a world of heat and flame I begin my journey toward the heavens. Slowly my body begins to lengthen. I stretch toward the embraced of the arms of the sky. I long to be wrapped up in the cloak of stars. As I grow, time passes. My branches begin to sprout and my green fingers multiply. As this happens I dig my toes deeper and deeper into the soil at my feet. I feel my body expand. I grow and grown until it seems I can grow no more. Yet, I continue to surpass what I was moments before. I am growing stronger with each tick of time. No wind can blow me down. No fire can turn me to ash. I am now so tall it is impossible to see my uppermost branches. My roots are so deep that I could never be dug up. I am beautiful. I am mighty. I am a giant.

I am a Giant Sequoia."

Monday, October 02, 2006

Year 1: Core Energy

Excerpt from essay on centering:

"Every living thing in the universe has a center. It’s what moves us. It’s the place where we dwell within our selves. It is our balance. It is our life force. It is the what, where and who of each of us."

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Year 1: Wizardry

Excerpt from essay on my GSW name:

"My search for a magickaI name was brief but intense. I had a specific idea for what I wanted my name to say about me. I also knew that I wanted a name rooted in the Irish/Gaelic language. I searched to find a name that represented my connection with the earth. I choose Oran because it means 'pale green one'. Green is the color which represents stone or earth. It is also the color of my birthstone the emerald. Green represents life, renewal and health. Star was added on to the end because of my attraction to the star or pentagram shape. The pentagram is a powerful symbol of order, harmony and protection. It’s addition also helped to make the name more feminine. When put together my name means pale green star. I am Oranstar."

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Year 1: Wizardry

Excerpt from essay on my GSW journal:

"Every bookstore held hundreds of journals. There were small black books with dingy white pages. Some were oversized with brightly colored paper spilling out. It was aisle after aisle, store after store of journals. I must have inspected a million of them. Just as I was about to give up I found what I was looking for.

I think I saw me before I saw it. My eyes were suddenly drawn to it. The moment I laid eyes on it I knew I was meant to be mine.

It’s covered in a beautiful batik dyed fabric. Swirling colors dance in shades of mauve, gold and the deepest purple. Spirals make their way from one end to the other. Inside of this dancing cover is smooth, white, unlined rectangular paper. The best part is it smells like summer."

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Year 1: Wizardry

Excerpt from essay on my first alter:

"I had a difficult time creating my first alter. I wanted it to be very special so I went out of my way to collect interesting items for each of the elements. I also wanted the Goddess and God to be represented well. I was in need of a shelf upon which to construct an alter, as well. All of these things took time. It was time well spent. I now have an alter that I am very proud of."

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Year 1: Ethics

Excerpt from essay on who I am:

"Top Five Rules I Live My Life By:

Harm Nothing- I have not, do not nor will not harm any living creature willingly. By harm I mean not only physically but also mentally and spiritually.

I would not be who I am today if yesterday had not happened- I learn and grow with every triumph or disappointment life has to offer. Each one makes up the me you see right now.

A Little Kindness Goes A Long Way- I give what I can. I help were I can. I ask others to do the same. No act of kindness is too small to make some kind of impact on the world.

Every Action Has A Reaction- Everything I do makes ripples in the world. I may not see the results but they are there. I can effect change (both good and bad) through my every action.

Live For Today- I have seen the end and came back to say that each day, every moment is important. If you are not living in the here and now you might as well not live for there may not be a tomorrow."

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Year 1: Ethics

Excerpt from essay on power:

"Of all of the people I’ve seen exerting their power to control, and have the power to effect great changes, the worst are politicians. They use their powers everyday for a million different reasons. The sad thing is a good portion of the time they use their power for evil and not good. That, however, is a whole other essay paper."

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Year 1: Ethics

Excerpt from essay on plagerism:

"Plagiarism is lying. It is also stealing. It is dishonorable. It is lazy. It should not happen.

If you can’t think of anything nice to say then quote someone else."

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Year 1: Ethics

Excerpt from essay on meditation:

"I thought of life and how these things helped round out my world. I visualized who the people might be and why they laughed. I thought of the way the wind moved the trees. I could see the gravel and feel the leaves. I questioned these sounds too. Thinking to myself: What was it that made the dog bark? Where was the crow flying to? And why am I here?

As I did this I felt myself grow bigger and bigger. I suddenly grew too big for my skin. My being expanded until it filled my bed. Then I grew as large as the room. I saw my body lying there. I saw my room. I saw the world outside. But yet my eyes remained closed.

Just when I began to feel lost in all of these questions I began to shrink once more. I grew smaller and smaller. Soon I felt very tiny in my big body. The moon faded. The sounds faded. My breathing grew faster. I awoke once more to the world as it is.
I opened my eyes. It was 5:15pm. The sun was still out. The world was still noisy. I was still here.

I blew out the candles and gazed sadly at the incense now turned to ash. It was nice to be bigger than myself for awhile. Now I must go back to being the real me."

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Year 1: Ethics

Excerpt from essay about personal experience with dishonesty:

"Did I learn my lesson? Did I ever. I learned more lessons from that situation than I learned that entire semester of college. And while I can’t say that I will never lie again. Though I do my best not to. I can say that I will never cheat. I most certainly never set out to steal nor would I ever for a moment think to again. I will be more cautious of the friends I make. I will be more careful about whom I give my heart to. I will be more conscious of my actions. I will hold confidences just as such. I will be a better friend, lover and confidant because of my past. I am a better person because of my past mistakes.

After all of this I think that the biggest lesson I learned is this: Honesty really is the best policy."

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Year 1: Ethics

Excerpt from essay on lying:

"Most people, in the course of their lives, will tell some sort of lie. Some people tell more lies than others. Some grow out of telling lies. Some bury themselves so deep in lies they do not know what the truth is. Lying can become an addiction. It can be something one gives up to become more virtuous. It happens to the best of us. It is an intrical part of the worst of us.

So, I ask this question again- Am I a liar? My answer now is maybe not. Sure I might fib and tell tall tales once in a while. On occasion I have misrepresented myself. I have even told a “big” lie or two. However, I do not make a career out of it. I am not out there peddling lies. I do not set out with the intention to deceive others. In fact, I consider myself a fairly honest person.

So the answer is no. I am not a liar. I lie. But then again, don’t we all?"

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Year 1: Ethics

Excerpt from final:

"'Harm None' is a wonderful idea to live by. Letting others do as they want and allowing you to do the same, as long as none come to harm, is the greatest of ideas. If only we as a whole could abide by this rule the world would be a happier place.

This thought is a major theme in most religions and some governments. It’s too bad so many do not listen to their own religious and governmental rules. It seems, though, that we as humans have difficulty letting go of out own ideals not matter if they harm or not."

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Year 1: Technomagick

Excerpt from final exam:

"Not all people you meet online are bad. Of course, not all people you meet in real life are good either. Using a combination of caution and common sense you can limit the amount of danger you place yourself in meeting people in either situation."

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Blogger "Upgrade"

This is not my original GSW blog. When Blogger forced the "upgrade" on me a few months ago I lost my entire blog! So, this means that a lot of original content is lost forever. :(

However, I do keep records of my papers so I am going to repost them now just for the sake of having them online. I also intend to use this blog for future assignments so why not have the past as well.